Albigensian Crusade: Catholic Crusaders in southern France lay siege to Bram and capture it. Because of how defiant the people of Bram had been, Simon de Montfort picks 100 men from the prisoners and has the horribly mutilated. Their noses are cut off, their lips are cut off, and their eyes are gouged out. Just one man is left with one eye so he can lead the group.

Each puts his hand on the shoulder of another and they walk, single file, to the castle of Cabaret. Just three months ago the defenders of Cabaret threw back the Crusaders and now the sight of mutilated defenders of Bram is supposed to tell them what lies ahead.